Safer, smarter and stronger in the water

NEARLY 400 registered swim schools and 400,000 swimming families from across the country will dive into National Energy Australia Swim Safer Week next week.

TAKING THE PLUNGE: Kids will learn vital water safety skills next week. Picture: Contributed

NEARLY 400 registered swim schools and 400,000 swimming families from across the country will dive into National Energy Australia Swim Safer Week next week.

The theme for the week, which includes activities to develop vital water safety skills, is "safer, smarter and stronger".

"For a long time, we've personally watched the benefits young children can experience physically, emotionally and socially, simply by learning to swim," Swim Australia chief executive officer Ross Gage said.

"Swimming should be about having sensible fun, first and foremost," Mr Gage said.

"However, it is a necessary and a potentially life-saving skill, so is an ability that should be formally learned from as young as four months, under the guidance of a qualified teacher and a swim school registered with Swim Australia,"

He said swimming year-round and learning water safety skills would not only help children become safer, smarter and stronger in and around water, but in everyday life as well.

To find a swim school taking part in Swim Safer Week, visit www.swim australia.org.au.